"When I picture the perfect fall day, it goes like this: wake up and close the window because it’s frigid in my apartment; work out; take a shower so hot my skin turns red (do as I say, not as I do); put on a lovely outfit, do my makeup and hair, all while drinking a piping hot coffee; spend a day in the Everygirl office chatting, writing, and listening to Taylor Swift’s entire discography; head home on the train, only after making a pitstop at the giant Michigan Avenue Sephora in Chicago. I’ll roam the aisles, stocking up on new foundation, a fall lip color, and maybe even something special. Perusing the new beauty launches at Sephora is a pastime of mine regardless of the season, but we all know how it goes by now: everything just feels better in fall.
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Unfortunately, my expectations of those dreamy fall days aren’t exactly met this year, but that isn’t stopping me from staring at the Sephora site every day and contemplating if I actually need to have an emergency fund. Here’s my wishlist—from new skincare finds perfect for the cold weather to holiday-approved eyeshadow and lip combos.
If you know anything about makeup, you know Mario Dedivanovic. He’s known for creating some of the most iconic Kim Kardashian looks, making quite the name for himself in the beauty world. He just unveiled his own line (after collabing with KKW Beauty, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and others), and I am beyond excited to see it available at Sephora. The first product that caught my attention was this product. Although it says it’s a highlighter, it’s actually more of an eyeshadow topper you use to add extra sparkle and dimension to a look. This video on his Instagram immediately convinced me—I see myself creating holiday looks galore with this smudged all over my eyes.
After years of contemplating the purchase, I recently splurged on my first Pat McGrath eyeshadow palette. It is arguably the most glorious and also the most wild purchase I’ve made in my time, but I am loving it to bits. My next PMGL purchase will likely be this new mascara. I've been loving dark, sultry fall eyeshadow looks lately, and those looks crave a deep black, full lash, and this is supposed to give just that. Every promo photo makes the model's lashes look incredible, adding just enough length and tons of volume without looking clumpy at all.
I’m currently working through two other cleansing balms, but this is next up on my list to purchase once those are out. I’ve loved everything I’ve tried from Glow Recipe (our other editors love their Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask!), and I love the added element of a little bit of exfoliation to this cleansing balm, giving it a little something different than the usual. It’s also a little less expensive than the Tatcha one I’m using right now, so a solid score for my wallet.
Nécessaire has been a staple for many of our editors for a while now, but it’s finally at Sephora! This body wash is available in fragrance-free, but I am the most excited to try the sandalwood scent for fall and winter. Body wash doesnt have to be boring, and this one definitely proves it.
A good moisturizer is essential this time of year. I’m currently switching from a lotion to a cream product to accommodate my newfound dry ass skin, and this is at the top of my wishlist. Farmacy uses honey in their products to promote calm, hydrated skin (honey is a humectant, meaning it traps and locks moisture into your skin). This product is marketed to those with normal and dry skin with special emphasis on “distressed” skin, which is a great adjective to describe the clogged pores, congestion, and dry patches currently sitting atop my face.
Hear me out: after years and years of preaching dewy skin this, glass skin that—heck, I’ll admit I’m even down with dolphin skin—but in fall 2020, I’m honestly kind of embracing matte skin. I watched an Instagram Story of Katie Jane Hughes (my makeup icon) trying this, and it legit looked like velvet on her skin. I loved how she used a matte foundation with lots of skin prep, which made it so she didn’t look dry or flat, and then she bumped it up with dewy cheekbones and a glowy eye look. I love that makeup juxtaposition, but mostly, I just love how flawless it looks. Wearing makeup makes me feel normal and happy right now, so I’m enjoying the extra bit of coverage—something I didn’t think I’d say ever again.
My skin isn’t just dry on my face anymore; it’s my entire body, including but not limited to: the tops of my toes, under my butt, my cuticles, and of course, my scalp. I’ve been plagued with an irritated scalp for years now (thanks to an allergic reaction that is still ruining my life), so I’m always on the hunt for something that will calm down the redness, reduce flakes and dry spots, and help my hair grow. Fable and Mane is a new brand at Sephora owned and founded by an Indian woman who created the brand with her culture, including Ayurveda, in mind. The products are absolutely gorgeous, and this pre-wash treatment oil is no exception. Containing ashwaghanda, this would be the perfect addition to my oil cleansing hair routine. The reviews are all up-there, saying it works on basically any hair type.
While the Rare Beauty buzz might have died down a bit, I’m still on a high after realizing that Selena did not phone it in and actually created a line full of innovative and effective products. I already tried this blush formula, and I want it in every. single. color. First of all, it’s so pigmented, which you can tell was to help cater to all skin tones. Light skin can apply a little bit and blend away, while someone with a darker tone can build it up even further. This makes all of the shades useful on people—something that basically every launch should have. Plus, I love the dewy look it gives my cheeks. I went for the red shade because it’s so bright and fun, and now I need all the neutral shades to wear all fall. Also, that berry shade? Swooooon.
I saw this in an Instagram story and immediately gasped at how gorgeous the packaging was and how much I loved the branding of Bread Beauty Supply. I haven’t tried the products, but I am so obsessed with their entire brand already. This is a Black-owned hair line, so the products are mostly aimed at women with textured, coily, and kinky hair types. While their shampoo and deep conditioner aren’t geared toward my hair at all, I’m really intrigued to try this hair gloss. I’ve been loving the glossy/shiny “glass” hair trend this fall, and I think this would take that look to the next level. If you do have curly hair, note this oil is silicone-free, so it’ll keep your curls fresh, soft, and in-tact all day long without weighing it down.
I have really embraced the sleep mask since quarantine began because I can wear them all day long while I work (including through Zoom calls) and no one has a clue. They’re also great for keeping your skin moisturized and plump through the night, which has been necessary for me as I keep my window open (as stated above) so that I’m shivering by the time I wake up. This one caught my eye for a few reasons. For one, Saturday Skin makes such good moisturizing products (I’m a huge fan of their sheet masks and their eye cream!), so I have a strong feeling this would be good. Plus, I’m loving layering up vitamin C products to help target dark spots and keep my skin looking clear and bright. This also has niacinamide and retinol to exfoliate, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of pores.
As the temps get cooler, you can’t live without a good lip mask in your collection. We’re huge fans of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, but this one from Milk has me rethinking my loyalties. This product contains Melatonin, which is supposed to calm irritation, but it also hydrates, smoothes, and softens the lips for plump, kissable lips the next day. This product is also ultra-clean: sulfate-free, silicone-free, soy-free, paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free, and more, making it a good, clean alternative to the Laneige (or for a solid test run, like I’ll be doing ASAP).
This is currently sold out, but that should tell you just how in-demand this is. Sunday Riley, the powerhouse brand that brought us Good Genes, claims this product will retexturize your skin while keeping your skin’s barrier in tact and nourishing your skin with pre and probiotics. The most intriguing ingredient in the line-up (even though there are tons of really compelling ingredients in this, like peptides, fermented honey, and seawater) is ECGC: an antioxidant found in green tea that fights the negative outcomes of pollution and stress in the skin—something we probably all need. I am dying to get my hands on this essence, especially after reading a slew of positive reviews.